In my 88, I've got an ARB RD05 in the rear axle and an ARB RD110 in the front. I had to swap out the front diff, CVs, and mounts with an 8" front end from a Gen I and shorten the front drive shaft to do it. I don't use my front locker a whole lot, but at those times that I do use it I praise it.

In deep snow, I usually drive fully locked and it handles fine...just gotta pay attention. Once or twice I had started to crab my way along a trail, but unlocking briefly got me straightened out. In the deep stuff, it's more of a benefit to negotiate it locked.

As for the CV axles, they can handle quite a bit...

Moab in 2006